SPANH Team

Graduate Student, SPANH lab member since 2025.

Jani is a U.S. Army combat veteran and PhD student in Experimental Psychology in the SPANH Lab at North Dakota State University. Additionally, she graduated with honors from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Biological Sciences before beginning her doctoral studies. Her research interests include how biological, cognitive, and emotional processes interact in trauma and resilience, with a focus on quality of life, wellness, and psychophysiological mechanisms in veteran populations. Jani's long-term goal is to bridge scientific research with real-world applications that improve recovery and well-being for individuals living with trauma. Outside of academia, Jani is an avid weightlifter and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys creating opportunities for veterans to connect through wellness, camaraderie, and community.

Graduate Student, SPANH lab member since 2026.

Madeline is a Ph.D. student in the Health Psychology program for the SPANH Lab at NDSU. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Neuropsychology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from Coastal Carolina University before becoming a Professional Research Assistant at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CU Boulder, she contributed to research examining stress, health behaviors, and psychological and cognitive outcomes in older adults and individuals with cancer. These experiences lead her to her own research interests focused on understanding how stress, social connection, and emotion regulation influence psychological and physical health, particularly among medically vulnerable populations. She is especially interested in how psychophysiological and social processes contribute to resilience and emotional well-being. Her long-term goal is to become a social health psychologist who integrates evidence-based assessment with research aimed at improving emotional, cognitive, and health outcomes for medically vulnerable populations. Outside of academia, Madeline enjoys spending time with her two dogs, hiking, and staying active within the community.

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Student, P.A. Beatty Scholarship for Outstanding Junior or Senior Psychology Majors 2026, SPANH lab member since 2025. Cherish is studying Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. In the future she wants to get a PhD in either developmental psychology or neuropsychology. She interested in research about how certain events effect the brain and its makeup. In her free time Cherish likes to read, play sudoku, go for walks, and play with her dogs.

SPANH Lab Member since 2025. Glenelyn is an undergraduate psychology major with double minors in chemistry and military science on the pre-dental track. She hopes to become a general dentist or periodontist and provide welcoming, accessible healthcare to her community. During her free time she enjoys hiking, traveling, exploring new foods, and spending time with friends and family.

NDSU EXPLORE Undergraduate Research Program 2026, NDSU Psychology Department Junior Research Award 2026, E.V. Estensen Scholarship for the most Outstanding Senior Psychology Major 2026, SPANH lab member since 2025. Alexa is majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience with aspirations to be a neuropsychologist or something closely related. In her free time she enjoys reading, cycling, hammocking, and traveling! She is interested in learning more about trauma and its affect on brain development as well as degenerative diseases.

SPANH lab member since 2026. Isabelle is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Chemistry and Neuroscience. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school to become a neuropathologist. Isabelle is interested in how the brain affects behavior and habits. Her hobbies include sketching characters, learning to code video games, and cuddling with her cats.

SPANH lab member since 2026. Emma is an undergraduate student majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. She plans to get a doctorate in clinical psychology and to specialize in neuropsychology after NDSU. She hopes to work with people who have brain injuries or neurological disorders. In her free time, Emma enjoys painting, reading, and paddleboarding on the lake.

SPANH lab member since 2026. Steph is going into her second year as a Mathematics major with a minor in Neuroscience. Following her bachelor's degree, she plans on attending graduate school in the field of Computational Neuroscience. Steph enjoys writing, reading, going on walks, listening to music, and socializing.

SPANH lab member since 2026. Jared is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in human development. Jared's goals in pursuing this education are to leverage the lessons learned to help people reach their full potential through clinical mental health counseling. Outside of NDSU he loves his job as a CNC machinist and spends his free time hunting, participating in shooting sports and reading.

SPANH lab member since 2026. Addison is a psychology major with a minor in neuroscience and forensic science. After NDSU, she wants to get her PhD and pursue a career as a neuropsychologist. Addison enjoys learning about how different neurological disorders affect people's daily lives and functioning. In her free time, she likes to travel, exercise, and hang out with friends.

SPANH lab member since 2026. Ethan is a psychology undergrad with a minor in neuroscience and sociology; he aspires to get his PsyD in clinical psychology and work with individuals but also does a little research. He is interested in researching the field of neuropsychology. His hobbies include motorcycles, playing the bass guitar, and playing any type of card game.